Quick, Easy Pasta Salad Recipe

Updated on April 29, 2010
S.J. asks from Cherryville, MO
15 answers

I have on hand rotini, tomatoes, cucumber, italian dressing, olive oil. (Might have a few other things). Anyone have a recipe for easy pasta salad?

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R.M.

answers from Nashville on

With those items I would mix up a dressing from the italian dressing and a little mayo if you have it. If you have any chicken, pepperoni, or ham that you can cube up, you can add that. Any cheese? I like to either grate parmesan cheese or put little cubes of brick cheese in mine. Sometimes I put in frozen peas that I cook just a little bit, then run cool water over them and add to salad.

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K.M.

answers from Chico on

Sounds like you have everything you need.
While the pasta noodles are boiling I chop a combo of whatever I have on hand like tomatoes,celery, bell peppers,cucumber,red onion, green onions, sliced olives, grated carrotts. Then I drain the pasta and rinse with cold water, toss in the prepared veggies, toss in enough of my homemade italian dressing to coat the noodles and sprinkle with freshly grated parmesean cheese. Very quick, easy, and yummy.

G.R.

answers from Dallas on

just mix everything minus the olive oil and add some parmessan cheese

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S.D.

answers from Indianapolis on

If I have them, I like to add any or all of the following:
~pepperoni
~artichoke hearts (I prefer marinated, including the juice instead of dressing)
~olives (including the juice instead of dressing)
~chicken
~tuna
~shrimp

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S.H.

answers from St. Louis on

you've got what you need....just throw it all together!

I change my pasta salad EVERY SINGLE TIME....& it drives my family nuts! But, what's life without a little variety?

I have added jalapenos, jicama, bell peppers, black beans, & sweet corn.
I have added banana peppers or pepperonicini, black olives, Italian mix shredded cheese, Parmesan, & zucchini slices. Sometimes I throw in leftover ham, salami, roast beef....whatevers on hand.
I have added all green vegies: cucs, green onion, zucchini, broc, celery.
I have even added spinach or leaf lettuce to the salad.

But my all-time fav is: adding lemon pepper to the Italian dressing. The lemon brings out the flavor of the tomato!

Have fun, mix it up....& enjoy.

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N.F.

answers from Seattle on

If you can add some grilled chicken pieces (they have some pre-made and cut in the grocery store), olives and maybe some shredded cheese(mozzarella?) and salt and pepper. That should be easy enough with what you have. Sounds yummy... my mom use to make something similar, except it was with sausage, but I prefer chicken. Good Luck!

L.C.

answers from Kansas City on

i use noodles, italian dressing, sweet peas, black olives, and parm cheese. lol. super simple, super yummy.

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B.W.

answers from Springfield on

Add shredded cheese (whatever you have on hand - mozzarella or sharp cheddar are my favories) and parmesan cheese and toss it all together after the pasta has cooled. (Also good with Ranch Dressing.) This is my favorite side for Breaded Ranch Chicken!

And that is...
Packet of Ranch Dressing Mix - HIdden Valley
3/4 cup of crushed Corn Flakes
1/4 to 1/2 cup of Parmesan Cheese

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast

1/2 cup (not sure on this) melted butter

Dip ckn in butter then mix and bake at 375 for 45 min.

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K.F.

answers from Cleveland on

I make an antipasto pasta salad using Rotini, 3/4 cup of italian dressing, chopped up salami, ham, mozzarella and provolone cheese, parmesan cheese olives and tomatoes.

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S.S.

answers from St. Louis on

look on kraftfoods.com they have great, easy recipes! There is one that calls for tri-colored pasta, feta cheese, and veggies. Yummy!

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T.H.

answers from Kansas City on

I just use pasta, black olives, peas (or pea pods), water chestnuts and some steamed chicken. We pull the chicken or cut it into small pieces and toss everything together with some Ranch dressing. It's quick, easy and yummy!

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S.V.

answers from Philadelphia on

I make pasta salad very similar to this. I add Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, cheese, olives, broccoli, sometimes 3 bean salad. When I use Italian dressing I don't use olive oil.

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Just cook the pasta, cut up the veggies and toss with Italian dressing. You can also add cheese cubes, olives, peppers and/or onions too.

You can also add Salad Supreme (with the spices).

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J.S.

answers from St. Louis on

You're pretty much good to go! Here is how I make a quick pasta salad:
--rotini noodles
--tomatoes (diced)
--cucumber (peeled,diced)
--black olives (sliced)
--Italian dressing
--Parmesan cheese

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H.K.

answers from Chicago on

My coworker used to make delicious seafood pasta salad with the same ingredients minus tomatoes. Chop cucumber, red onion, and fake crab to rotini pasta. Toss with Italian dressing and plenty of black pepper. It's pretty good.

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